Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions, place styles, price points and player account information can be stored to a memory of a game ticket, where the ticket is capable of transmitting the ticket data as an RF signal. Approaches also provide for the use of RFIDS in game sponsor/ticket printer facilities, ticket warehouse facilities and ticket destruction facilities.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of dispensing game tickets comprising: reading a ticket radio frequency identifier (RFID) from a game ticket; activating the game ticket based on the ticket RFID; as part of activating the games ticket, writing information to a programmable memory of the game ticket RFID; and responsive to the activation of the game ticket and an inventory level for tickets of the type of the activated game ticket falling below a predetermined threshold, automatically generating a ticket order for additional tickets.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the game ticket is associated with a game that is identical to a game associated with the additional tickets.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the game ticket is associated with a game that is different from a game associated with the additional tickets.
4. A method of tracking game ticket consumables comprising: responsive to dispensing a game ticket consumable, reading a consumable radio frequency identifier (RFID) from a game ticket consumable, the game ticket consumable being at least one of an item used to create a game ticket in response to a customer request or a non-game ticket item dispensed to game ticket customers; responsive to the reading and an inventory level for the game ticket consumable falling below a predetermined threshold, automatically generating a consumable order for additional consumables.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the game ticket consumable is game ticket paper stock.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the game ticket consumable is a game ticket writing implement.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the game ticket consumable is game ticket marketing material.
8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the game ticket consumable is a partially preprinted stock configured to be used to create an instant win lottery ticket.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the radio frequency identifier (RFID) is read when the lottery ticket is sold to a player.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the game ticket further comprising: a substrate including game data; and a transponder coupled to the substrate, the transponder including ticket data.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the transponder includes: a memory storing the ticket data; and an antenna operatively coupled to the memory, the antenna to transmit the ticket data in response to receiving an excitation signal.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ticket data includes a game number that corresponds to the game ticket.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ticket data includes a void if removed number that corresponds to the game ticket.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ticket data includes a theme description that corresponds to the game ticket.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ticket data includes a play style that corresponds to the game ticket.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ticket data includes a price point that corresponds to the game ticket.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ticket data includes player account information.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ticket data includes a validation code, the game ticket further including a back-up validation code coupled to the substrate.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the back-up validation code includes a bar code.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the back-up validation code includes a series of digits.
21. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: receiving a validation request for the game ticket; reading a ticket radio frequency identifier (RFID) from a memory of a game ticket based on the request; generating a validation message based on the ticket RFID; and updating a database in accordance with the validation message.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the validation message indicates that validation is authorized, the method further including updating the database to indicate that the game ticket has been cashed.
23. The method of claim 21 , further including: transmitting an excitation signal, the excitation signal to cause the game ticket to transmit the ticket RFID; and detecting the transmitted ticket RFID.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 24, 2003
June 2, 2009
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